On June 14, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan received the delegation headed by Shinichi Kitaoka, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This is announced by the press service of the ministry.

Greeting the guests, the Armenian Foreign Minister underlined with satisfaction the sustainable development of the Armenian-Japanese relations during recent years, and noted that the opening of the Embassy of Armenia in Tokyo in 2010 and the opening of the Embassy of Japan in Yerevan in 2015 have contributed to that.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Shinichi Kitaoka noted, that the visit to Armenia is not a regular working trip for him, but a visit to a country with an ancient civilization. According to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the deep respect for literature, knowledge, traditions and hard working unite our two nations.

“It was very touching for me to visit Spitak and to see the Memorial dedicated to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011. It means, that our friendship is not limited to diplomatic relations, but it spreads beyond, because we have supported each other in difficult times and have shared each other’s sorrow” – underlined Shinichi Kitaoka.

The interlocutors touched upon the ongoing activities towards the development and expansion of trade and economic relations between Armenia and Japan.

Edward Nalbandyan expressed gratitude for the support aimed at the development of Armenia provided since its independence through Japan International Cooperation Agency, as well as for the organization of training of several hundred Armenian specialists from different spheres in Japan.

At the meeting, views were exchanged on the ways of promoting the Armenian – Japanese cooperation in the areas of high technologies, science, education, prevention of natural disasters, infrastructures and tourism.

Minister Nalbandyan presented to the guests the priorities and main directions of the Armenian foreign policy.